Stress in Children

Children’s Stress

Stress is a function of the demands placed on us and our ability to meet them. These demands often come from outside sources, such as family, jobs, friends, or school. But it also can come from within, often related to what we think we should be doing versus what we're actually able to do.

So stress can affect anyone who feels overwhelmed — even kids. In preschoolers, separation from parents can cause anxiety. As kids get older, academic and social pressures (especially from trying to fit in) create stress.

Many kids are too busy to have time to play creatively or relax after school. Kids who complain about all their activities or who refuse to go to them might be overscheduled. Talk with your kids about how they feel about extracurricular activities. If they complain, discuss the pros and cons of stopping one activity. If stopping isn't an option, explore ways to help manage your child's time and responsibilities to lessen the anxiety.

Kids' stress may be intensified by more than just what's happening in their own lives. Do your kids hear you talking about troubles at work, worrying about a relative's illness, or arguing with your spouse about financial matters? Parents should watch how they discuss such issues when their kids are near because children will pick up on their parents' anxieties and start to worry themselves.

World news can cause stress. Kids who see disturbing images on TV or hear talk of natural disasters, war, and terrorism may worry about their own safety and that of the people they love. Talk to your kids about what they see and hear, and monitor what they watch on TV so that you can help them understand what's going on.

Also, be aware of complicating factors, such as an illness, death of a loved one, or a divorce. When these are added to the everyday pressures kids face, the stress is magnified. Even the most amicable divorce can be tough for kids because their basic security system — their family — is undergoing a big change. Separated or divorced parents should never put kids in a position of having to choose sides or expose them to negative comments about the other spouse.

Also realize that some things that aren't a big deal to adults can cause significant stress for kids. Let your kids know that you understand they're stressed and don't dismiss their feelings as inappropriate.

Signs and Symptoms

While it's not always easy to recognize when kids are stressed out, short-term behavioral changes — such as mood swings, acting out, changes in sleep patterns, or bedwetting — can be indications. Some kids have physical effects, including stomachaches and headaches. Others have trouble concentrating or completing schoolwork. Still others become withdrawn or spend a lot of time alone.

Younger children may pick up new habits like thumb sucking, hair twirling, or nose picking; older kids may begin to lie, bully, or defy authority. A child who is stressed also may overreact to minor problems, have nightmares, become clingy, or have drastic changes in academic performance.

STRESS treatment and assessment: Treatment starts at home with Anti STRESS Diet

As a parent, you have a huge influence over your child’s treatment. Evidence shows that eating a specially formulated anti STRESS diet such as those formulated by Dr. Daniel Amen, and practiced by Dr. Edward Chan, Principal Consultant Child Psychologist and accredited Amen Clinics practitioner can help your child manage the symptoms of STRESS. That means your child can begin treatment for STRESS today—at home.

STRESS Assessments: STRESS Laboratory Diagnostic tests

STRESS treatment needs to be based on accurate STRESS assessments which not only cover the psychological assessments but also STRESS laboratory diagnostic tests. As J. McCandles, author of "Children with Starving Brains" reported, Anti STRESS Nutritional Supplements need to be tailored to Your child's brain's needs based on STRESS laboratory diagnostic tests as offered at the International Psychology Centre such as gene tests, neurotransmitters tests, heavy metal toxicity tests, gut dysfunction stool tests that identify the nutrients lacking in your child's brain due to a variety of reasons including genetic, wrong diet, and environmental toxins.

STRESS Treatment: STRESS Behavioural Therapy

STRESS behavioural therapy which includes learning better social, emotional and communications skills are all part of a balanced treatment plan that can improve Your Child's performance at school, improve Your Child’s relationships with others, and decrease stress and frustration. STRESS treatment is more effective when the child is properly addressed by professional psychologists who are STRESS experts so that effective treatments are formulated based on the assessment that address emotional, behavioral and nutritional issues of STRESS which medications cannot address.

With an ever-growing levels of toxic metals in the environment and the widespread mineral deficiencies resulting from this our lifestyles and poor dietary habit there is an increasing need for detoxification. High levels of mercury, aluminum, cadmium and lead are known to cause stress in children. Heavy metal detoxification with nutritional therapy can be done safely to rid of the dangerous and toxic heavy metals in your child’s brain so that can cure your child’s stress.

Food intolerances are often difficult to detect and can be an important factor in both acute and chronic physical as well as psychological health. Food allergies/intolerances are linked to the onset of stress problems. This therapy helps your child to overcome specific food and environmental intolerances/allergies.

AA/EPA//DHA Therapy

AA/EPA/DHA balance is critical to maintain good ability to learn and good emotion balance.

Neurotransmitters Therapy

This therapy allows us to correct your child’s brain neurotransmitters imbalances and deficiencies which are linked to stress.

Leaky Gut Therapy

Poor digestion, leaky gut, malabsorption & toxin absorptions contribute to various cognitive and learning issues such as attention, hyperactivity, discipline behaviour, learning, concentration, mood and stress. This therapy allows us to heal ‘Leaky Gut Syndrome’, which is a condition whereby the lining of the digestive tract becomes damaged and the contents of the gut can be too easily absorbed, allowing large food particles, bacterial products and toxins absorbed by the gut, initiating a series of gastrointestinal problems which leads to brain related disorders such as stress.

EpiGenetic therapy

This therapy enables detoxification and antioxidant processes problem from genetic causes to be corrected so that normal and healthy brain functions are restored and curing stress.

Hormonal Therapy

Imbalance & deficiency in hormone can be inborn or environmentally caused and give rinse to stress. This therapy corrects these imbalances and deficiencies so that normal and healthy emotions and behaviours are restored and curing stress.